Florida sees rise in locally acquired dengue cases as mosquito control steps up
Florida health officials report 41 dengue cases contracted within the state, prompting increased mosquito surveillance and public advisories.
Florida mosquito-control agencies are intensifying surveillance, inspections and spraying as the number of locally acquired dengue fever cases climbs. By Sept. 1, the state recorded 41 dengue cases contracted within Florida, including 33 in the Tampa Bay area. The Florida Mosquito Control Association said 30 of those cases were confirmed in Hillsborough County, seven in Miami-Dade, three in Pinellas and one in Palm Beach, leading the state health department to issue mosquito-borne illness alerts for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes dengue as a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes that can cause fever, severe aches, nausea, rash and, in rare instances, life-threatening complications. While the virus is most common in tropical regions, locally acquired cases have been documented in several U.S. states, with Florida accounting for the highest number of cases nationwide in 2024.
"Dengue does not stop at county lines," Pinellas County Mosquito Control Director Alissa Berro told Fox 13. "When someone infected with dengue enters a new area, a local mosquito can bite that person and later spread the virus to others. As cases rise across the region, so does the potential for additional local transmission."
Mosquito-control crews are expanding both aerial and ground treatments in areas where the virus has been detected and are inspecting private properties for breeding sites. The Florida Mosquito Control Association is urging residents to eliminate standing water in containers such as buckets, planters and tires, and to follow the "three Ds"—dress in long sleeves and light colors, use insect repellent containing DEET or similar ingredients, and dump standing water regularly.
Health officials note that many infected individuals show no symptoms, and most who do become ill recover within one to two weeks, though a small proportion may develop severe dengue, which requires prompt medical attention.